Assessments

Durango School District (DSD) uses several types of assessments to help teachers understand how students are learning and to guide decisions about instruction. At the beginning, middle, and end of the year, schools give common interim assessments that show student growth over time. At the end of the year, students take state summative assessments, which measure how well they have learned the Colorado Academic Standards. In addition to these, the district uses specialized assessments that help address individual student needs. Together, these tools provide a clear picture of each child’s progress and ensure every student receives the right support.

How does my child benefit from taking assessments?

Assessments are a critical tool for helping schools and families understand where a child is thriving and where additional support may be needed. Unlike daily assignments or classroom participation, standardized assessments provide a consistent measure that allows teachers to compare progress across classrooms, schools, and even districts. This broader perspective helps ensure that every student receives the resources and opportunities they deserve.

For your child, the results offer insight into strengths to celebrate and areas where focused attention can lead to real growth. Without these measures, teachers and parents may be left with only partial information about a child’s academic development.

In short, assessments are not just tests—they are opportunities to ensure your child’s learning path is visible, supported, and on track for long-term success.

What are interim assessments?

Interim assessments, sometimes called benchmark assessments, are given at key points during the year. They help track how students are progressing toward learning goals. Teachers use this information to see what is going well and where extra help may be needed. For families, interim assessments are valuable because they give insight into your child’s growth throughout the year—not just at the end. By participating, your child makes sure teachers have the information they need to give the right support at the right time.

What are summative assessments?

Summative assessments are taken at the end of the school year. These tests show how well students have mastered the grade-level expectations in the Colorado Academic Standards. They give families, schools, and the state a shared measure of student learning. While interim assessments help teachers adjust instruction during the year, summative assessments help confirm what your child has learned overall. Your child’s participation is important, because these results are used to shape future instruction and to make sure schools are meeting the needs of every student.

What other types of assessments does the district use?

In addition to interim and summative assessments, DSD uses specialized assessments for more specific purposes. These may include diagnostic tools, screenings, or evaluations that give teachers deeper insight into a child’s skills and learning needs. For students with unique learning challenges, these assessments can be especially important in shaping individualized support. When every child takes the assessments designed for them, educators can better match instruction to student strengths and help ensure all learners succeed.

Joshua Perdue Accountability and Assessment Coordinator

Email Joshua Perdue